AUGMENTATION

What is Augmentation?

​The interaction between groundwater and surface water has long been recognized here in Colorado. Due to this interaction, the out-of-priority use of water for uses such as: residential wells, commercial wells, and lawns, can deplete surface water levels (streams, creeks, ponds and rivers) that injure senior water rights. To prevent injury and to ensure our river and streams remain whole, augmentation replaces water into a stream due to losses from out-of-priority usage.

​The District’s blanket augmentation plan protects water rights in the Upper Arkansas River Valley and plays an important role with keeping our river and streams whole and our valley green. At the same time, our augmentation plan provides our customers with a cost-effective and efficient solution for their water augmentation needs.

Why Do I Need Augmentation Water?

The concept of augmentation was developed with the passage of a Colorado Law in 1969 called the "Adjudication and Administration Act". Among other things, this law integrated surface water and tributary ground water to be administered under the Colorado Doctrine of Appropriation. ​​In the Arkansas Basin, an over appropriated system, judicially decreed water rights are seldom allowed to divert water or "pump" water if the date of their decree is junior (more recent) than 1890. However, with the passage of the "1969 Act", a system was designed to allow for use of water 'out of priority' if the user developed a decreed plan to replace all water consumed. This replacement plan is called an augmentation plan. An augmentation plan requires that the amount of water consumed must be placed into the stream impacted by the water use by time and amount.

How Does it Work?

When a person or business needs to replace water depleted through their out-of-priority well use they can purchase water augmentation from the District through participation in our blanket augmentation plan. The District takes care of the rest by managing and administering the releases of water.​Benefits to Our Customers

Cost-Effectiveness: The majority of other augmentation plans in our region are private, typically are more expensive to create and take a considerable amount of time and other resources. When choosing the UAWCD for your augmentation needs, you will undoubtedly be saving money and time.

Accessibility: Customers within our service area simply apply at our local office in Salida, Colorado. We have a streamlined application process and management system which means less hassle for our customers who are in need of an augmentation water right.

Attainability: The District has gone to great lengths to preserve water for future use. Water reserves are readily available to meet growing demands, including your water augmentation needs.